April 12, 2021

Ireland discontinues animal health use of colistin

The antibiotic colistin will be discontinued for animal health use, Ireland's Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue announced on April 9, Agriland reported.

"This voluntary agreement by stakeholders is testimony to the commitment of the agri-sector in addressing AMR [antimicrobial resistance] and I acknowledge the importance of colistin in treating life-threatening bacterial infections that cause significant mortality and morbidity in human healthcare," the minister said.

The World Health Organisation has included colistin in a list of "Highest Priority Critically Important Antimicrobials", as an antimicrobial of last resort in human health. The minister called the decision on colistin 'timely', with the EU Veterinary Medicines and Medicated Feed Regulations due to come into effect in January 2022.

"In order to successfully address AMR the primary goal of the agri-food sector must be to continuously work on achieving and maintaining the highest possible standards in animal health and thus reducing antimicrobial usage," the minister added.